North Carolina urging corn aflatoxin tests

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging farmers to have their corn tested for aflatoxin to prevent contamination of feeds and food.

Aflatoxin is a by-product of the mold Aspergillus flavus. “This toxin can be harmful to both humans and livestock, so it’s worth a farmer’s time and effort to have corn tested,” Troxler said.

Some farmers may need to have corn samples tested for crop insurance purposes. These farmers must work with their insurance adjuster, and samples for insurance purposes will need to be submitted to a grain marketing location certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The tests cost $22.20. Adjusters should send a 5-pound sample of shelled corn by mail, UPS or FedEx to one of the following USDA-certified grain marketing locations:

Aflatoxin tests for other purposes are free and will be conducted at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Constable Laboratory, 4000 Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh. Farmers may drop off 5-pound samples of shelled corn at the lab or at one of the following agricultural research stations: